It seems too early, but the fall soccer season is already under way, and most of the top players and teams are into their two-game-a-week mode: league play on the weekend, international play midweek.

The last qualifying round for the European Champions League began this Tuesday-Wednesday, with 32 teams vying for 16 spots in the lucrative group stage that will stretch through the fall. In the season’s first heavyweight matchup, Spain’s Villareal beat Everton in Liverpool, 2-1; Manchester United, Liverpool, and Inter Milan each won comfortably. The return leg games will be Aug. 23-24.

Meanwhile, this Wednesday, the national teams take the stage, with World Cup Qualifying games on four continents. The U.S. hosts Trinindad & Tobago in Hartford, Conn.; it’ll be live on ESPN2, 7pm Wednesday, Aug. 17. See “Soccer Watch Online” for more details on both these competitions.

This article appears in August 12 • 2005.

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